Carrying case for electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A carrying case ( 1 ) for electronic devices ( 12 ) comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped sleeve ( 2 ) having an upper strap ( 16 ) attached to two corners ( 8 ) so that a user can wear the carrying case around his or her neck. The user may also attach a lower strap ( 17 ) to the two opposite corners of the sleeve so that the user can further secure the carrying case around his or her torso. The upper and lower straps ensure that the carrying case will lie flat against the user&#39;s chest. The user may attach the upper and lower straps to the carrying case so that the carrying case is worn vertically or horizontally. A video window ( 18 ) located on the carrying case allows a video lens ( 19 ) of an electronic device to record video through the sleeve. In addition, a microphone window ( 21 ) and a speaker window ( 23 ) may be located on the sleeve to allow for sound to pass through the sleeve to a microphone ( 22 ) of the electronic device or from a speaker ( 24 ) of the electronic device. A viewing window ( 25 ) is also located on the sleeve, which allows a user to view a video screen ( 26 ) on the electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to carrying cases for electronic devices, moreparticularly, a carrying case for electronic devices having a four-pointattachment system that allows a user to wear the carrying case in ahorizontal or vertical position flat against the chest of the user.

Carrying case are commonly used for carrying and protecting electronicdevices, such as cellular telephones, cameras, camcorders, MP3 playersand other electronic storage devices. Carrying cases protect electronicdevices from being scratched and/or damaged. In addition, some carryingcases allow users to carry electronic devices on their person, such ason a user's belt, on a user's arm or around a user's neck. The majorityof conventional carrying cases are designed for electronic devices thatstore and play music, such as MP3 players. These carrying cases allow auser to carry the electronic device and listen to music while remaininghands free. However, conventional carrying cases are not designed forcarrying electronic devices having video recording capabilities on auser's body. More specifically, conventional carrying cases do not allowusers to attach electronic devices, such as an IPHONE®, cell phones,FLIP® video cameras, etc., to the user's chest for the purpose ofvideotaping or displaying videos while the user's hands remain free.

Therefore a need exists for a carrying case for electronic devices thatallows a user to wear an electronic device carrying case flat againsthis or her chest in a vertical or horizontal position for the purpose ofvideotaping or displaying videos while the user's hands remain free.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue/PublicationDate CA2,561,804 Ackloo Mar. 29, 2008 2006/0144662 Hu Jul. 06, 20067,051,910 Sprague et al. May 30, 2006 6,962,277 Quintana et al. Dec. 08,2005 6,956,614 Quintana et al. Oct. 18, 2005 WO2004/066014 Obrebski Aug.05, 2004 5,522,531 Quintana et al. Feb. 18, 2003 6,019,264 Strieber Feb.01, 2000 5,829,652 Denzer et al. Dec. 03, 1998 D382,286 Doran Aug. 12,1997 D378,163 Clissold Feb. 25, 1997 4,298,149 Gottschalk et al. Dec.03, 1981 4,017,168 Brown Apr. 12, 1977 3,053,299 Lang Sep. 11, 1962

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a carryingcase for electronic devices that allows a user to record and play video.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying casefor electronic devices that may be worn flat against a user's chest in avertical or horizontal position.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a carryingcase for electronic devices that may be worn in an angled positionagainst a user's chest in a vertical or horizontal position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrying casefor electronic devices that allows a user to record video whileremaining hands free.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a carryingcase for electronic devices that allows a user to watch video whileremaining hands free.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a carryingcase for electronic devices that allows a user to display video toothers while remaining hands free.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providinga carrying case for electronic devices comprising a substantiallyrectangular-shaped sleeve having a upper edge, a lower edge, two sideedges, a front surface, a rear surface and an opening. Attachment means,such as grommets, clips, rings, etc., are located at each corner of thecase. A user may attach an upper strap to the attachment means so thatthe user can wear the carrying case around his or her neck. In addition,the user may attach a lower strap to the attachment means so that theuser can further secure the carrying case around his or her torso. Theupper and lower straps ensure that the carrying case will lie flatagainst the user's chest. The user may attach the upper and lower strapsto the carrying case so that the carrying case is worn vertically orhorizontally. A video window preferably located on the rear surface ofthe carrying case allows a video lens of an electronic device to recordvideo through the rear surface. A flap may also be located on the rearsurface. The flap covers the video window and the video lens. The flapmay be opened to expose the video lens while recording video. Inaddition, a microphone window is located on the front surface to allowfor sound to pass through the front surface to a microphone located inthe electronic device. A speaker window is also located on the frontsurface to allow sound to pass through the front surface from a speakerlocated in the electronic device. A viewing window located on the frontsurface allows a user to view a video screen on the electronic device.The viewing window may be an open space or be a clear material, such asplastic, to protect the video screen of the electronic device.

To use the carrying case for videotaping, a user first places anelectronic device, such as an I PHONE®, in the carrying case. Then, theuser attaches the upper strap around his or her neck. Then the userattaches the lower strap around his or her torso so that the rearsurface is facing away from the user. The user can then use theelectronic device to videotape everything in front of the user.Alternatively, the user can display video on his or her chest to othersby wearing the carrying case with the front surface facing away from hisor her chest. In addition, the user can lengthen the upper strap so thatthe carrying case will lie horizontal to the ground with the frontsurface facing upward, thereby allowing the user to watch video on theelectronic device.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the following detailed description inconjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and describedillustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to theattached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a carrying case for electronic devices of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices ofthe present invention being worn in a vertical position with the frontsurface facing the body of a user;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices ofthe present invention being worn in a vertical position with the frontsurface facing away from the body of a user;

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices ofthe present invention being worn in a horizontal position with the frontsurface facing the body of a user;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a carrying case for electronic devices ofthe present invention being worn in a horizontal position with the frontsurface facing away from the body of a user; and

FIG. 8 is a side top perspective view of a carrying case for electronicdevices of the present invention being worn in an angled position inrelation to a user's chest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminologyused in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is asfollows:

1. carrying case 2. sleeve 3. inner surface 4. outer surface 5. upperedge 6. lower edge 7. side edge 8. corner 9. front surface 10. rearsurface 11. opening 12. electronic device 13. securing means 14. hookand loop fastener 15. strap attachment means 16. upper strap 17. lowerstrap 18. video window 19. video lens 20. flap 21. microphone window 22.microphone 23. speaker window 24. speaker 25. viewing window 26. videoscreen 27. grommet

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a front plan view, a rear plan viewand a top view, respectively of a carrying case 1 for electronic devicesof the present invention are shown. The carrying case 1 is asubstantially rectangular-shaped sleeve 2 having an inner surface 3 anouter surface 4, an upper edge 5, a lower edge 6, two side edges 7,corners 8, a front surface 9 and a rear surface 10. An opening 11 islocated along the top edge 5 to allow a user to insert an electronicdevice 12 into the carrying case 1, as shown in FIG. The opening 11 maybe sealed shut using a securing means 13, such as a hook and loopfastener 14, a zipper, etc. Strap attachment means 15, such as grommets27, clips, hooks, etc., are located at each corner 8 of the carryingcase 1. A user may attach an upper strap 16 to the attachment means 15and/or a lower strap 17 to the attachment means 15 so that the user cansecure the carrying case around his or her neck and/or torso, as shownin FIGS. 4-8. A video window 18 located on the rear surface 10 of thecarrying case 1 allows a video lens 19 of an electronic device 12 torecord video. A flap 20 may also be located on the rear surface 10. Theflap 20 covers the video window 18 and protects the video lens 19 whilenot in use. The flap 20 may be opened to expose the video lens 19 whilerecording video. The flap 19 may be held in a closed position by asecuring means 13, such as a hook and loop fastener 14, a zipper and soforth. A microphone window 21 is located on the front surface 9 to allowfor sound to pass through the front surface 9 to a microphone 22 locatedin the electronic device 12. A speaker window 23 is also located on thefront surface 9 to allow sound to pass through the front surface 9 froma speaker 24 located in the electronic device 12. A viewing window 25located on the front surface 9 allows a user to view a video screen 26located on the electronic device 12. The viewing window may be an openspace or a clear material, such as plastic, to protect the video screen26 of the electronic device 12.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, front plan views of a carrying case 1for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in a verticalposition with the front surface 9 facing the body of a user and thefront surface 9 facing away from the body of a user, respectively, areshown. To use the carrying case 1 in a vertical position, a userattaches an upper strap 16 to the carrying case 1 via an attachmentmeans 15, such as grommets 27 (as shown here), clips, hooks, etc., whichare located at each corner 8 of the carrying case 1. The upper strap 16is attached to the grommets 27 located at the corners 8 along the upperedge 5 of the carrying case 1. Then user may then place the upper strap16 around his or her neck. Then a lower strap 17 may be attached to thegrommets 27 located along the lower edge 6 of the carrying case 1. Thenthe user may secure the lower strap 17 around his or her torso. Theupper strap 16 and lower strap 17 may be constructed of any strap orcord material, such as nylon webbing, shoe laces, etc. In addition, auser may wear the carrying case 1 with or without the lower strap 16. Auser may wear the carrying case 1 with the rear surface 10 facing awayfrom the user so that the user can then use the electronic device 12 tovideotape everything in front of the user, as shown in FIG. 4.Alternatively, the user can display video on his or her chest to othersby wearing the carrying case 1 with the front surface 9 facing away fromhis or her chest, as shown in FIG. 5.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, front plan views of a carrying case 1for electronic devices of the present invention being worn in ahorizontal position with the front surface 9 facing the body of a userand the front surface 9 facing away from the body of a user,respectively, are shown. To use the carrying case 1 in a horizontalposition, a user attaches an upper strap 16 to the carrying case 1 viaan attachment means 15, such as grommets 27 (as shown here), clips,hooks, etc., which are located at each corner 8 of the carrying case 1.The upper strap 16 is attached to the grommets 27 located at one of thecorners 8 along the upper edge 5 of the carrying case 1 and at one ofthe corners 8 along the lower edge 6 of the carrying case 1. Then usermay then place the upper strap 16 around his or her neck. Then a lowerstrap 17 may be attached to the grommets 27 on the opposite side edge 7of the carrying case 1. Then the user may secure the lower strap 17around his or her torso. The upper strap 16 and lower strap 17 may beconstructed of any strap or cord material, such as nylon webbing, shoelaces, etc. In addition, a user may wear the carrying case 1 with orwithout the lower strap 16. A user may wear the carrying case 1 with therear surface 10 facing away from the user so that the user can then usethe electronic device 12 to videotape everything in front of the user,as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the user can display video on his orher chest to others by wearing the carrying case 1 with the frontsurface 9 facing away from his or her chest, as shown in FIG. 8.

Finally with reference to FIG. 8, a side top perspective view of acarrying case 1 for electronic devices of the present invention beingworn in an angled position in relation to a user's chest is shown. Thecarrying case 1 allows users to view video on an electronic device 12while remaining hands free. To position the carrying case 1 for personalviewing, a user first secures the upper strap 16 around his or her neckand then the lower strap 17 around his or her torso with the frontsurface 9 of the carrying case 1 facing the chest of the user. The usermay then lengthen the upper strap 16 so that the carrying case 1 willlie angled outward from the user's chest or substantially horizontal tothe ground with the front surface facing 9 upward, thereby allowing theuser to watch video on the electronic device 12 through the viewingwindow 18.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific formor arrangement of parts or use herein described and shown. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention and the invention isnot be considered limited to what is shown and described in thespecification and drawings.

1. A carrying case for electronic devices comprising: a sleeve having aninner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, sideedges, corners, a front surface and a rear surface; an opening locatedon the sleeve for inserting an electronic device into the sleeve; atleast one attachment means located on the sleeve; an upper strapattached to the sleeve via the at least one attachment means; and alower strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachmentmeans.
 2. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 1 furthercomprising: a securing means located on the opening of the sleeve forsecuring the opening in a closed position.
 3. The carrying case forelectronic devices of claim 1 further comprising: at least one videowindow located on the sleeve.
 4. The carrying case for electronicdevices of claim 3 further comprising: at least one flap located on thesleeve for covering the at least one video window.
 5. The carrying casefor electronic devices of claim 4 further comprising: a securing meanslocated on the at least one flap for securing the at least one flap in aclosed position over the at least one video window.
 6. The carrying casefor electronic devices of claim 1 further comprising: at least onemicrophone window located on the sleeve.
 7. The carrying case forelectronic devices of claim 1 further comprising: at least one speakerwindow located on the sleeve.
 8. The carrying case for electronicdevices of claim 1 further comprising: at least one viewing windowlocated on the sleeve.
 9. A carrying case for electronic devicescomprising: a substantially rectangular shaped sleeve having an innersurface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, side edges, fourcorners, a front surface and a rear surface; an opening located on thesleeve for inserting an electronic device into the sleeve; and at leastone attachment means located on each corner of the sleeve.
 10. Thecarrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising: anupper strap attached to the sleeve via the at least one attachmentmeans.
 11. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 furthercomprising: an upper strap attached to the sleeve via the at least oneattachment means; and a lower strap attached to the sleeve via the atleast one attachment means.
 12. The carrying case for electronic devicesof claim 9 further comprising: a securing means located on the openingof the sleeve for securing the opening in a closed position.
 13. Thecarrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising: atleast one video window located on the sleeve.
 14. The carrying case forelectronic devices of claim 13 further comprising: at least one flaplocated on the sleeve for covering the at least one video window. 15.The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 14 further comprising:a securing means located on the at least one flap for securing the atleast one flap in a closed position over the at least one video window.16. The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 furthercomprising: at least one microphone window located on the sleeve. 17.The carrying case for electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising:at least one speaker window located on the sleeve.
 18. The carrying casefor electronic devices of claim 9 further comprising: at least oneviewing window located on the sleeve.
 19. A carrying case for electronicdevices comprising: a substantially rectangular shaped sleeve having aninner surface, an outer surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, sideedges, four corners, a front surface and a rear surface; an openinglocated on the sleeve for inserting an electronic device into thesleeve; at least one attachment means located on each corner of thesleeve; an upper strap attached to the sleeve via the at least oneattachment means; and a lower strap attached to the sleeve via the atleast one attachment means.
 20. The carrying case for electronic devicesof claim 19 further comprising: at least one video window located on thesleeve.